Sharing blessings from Rome and the Holy Father, Pope Francis

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Blessed Easter graces to all! I hope that you enjoyed Holy Week and Easter as much as I did. Gratefully, we are still in the Easter Season until Pentecost Sunday, so we get to relish in Easter graces for a longer time. The readings at our Masses about the resurrected appearances of Jesus lift our spirits and deepen our faith as Jesus continues to share Himself with the disciples and us, even after His crucifixion.

At Pentecost, we will again receive the Holy Spirit into our lives and Church, just as the disciples did so many years ago. Incredibly, God desires to accompany and strengthen us by His continued presence in various ways but especially through the Eucharist. God’s plan to share His love with us in concrete ways is a blessing that becomes clear to us during this season, and I thank God for this each day. Jesus knew we needed His divine help to be His happy, healthy and holy disciples in our world with all its challenges and so He doesn’t let us down!

After Easter I had to go to Rome for a couple of events. I serve as chairman of the Janiculum Hill Foundation, which is the foundation for the Pontifical North American College in Rome where I served as Rector for ten years before coming to Metuchen. The College has its annual fundraising dinner during this time, so I am able to participate in that and see so many friends of the College and our Metuchen students.

We are blessed to have a seminarian here, Bruce Cargill from Immaculate Conception in Annandale. Father Jose Lim, whom I was privileged to ordain last Spring, is in Rome, too, finishing a license degree in Moral Theology this year. It is always great to visit with them and hear about their experiences.

I also serve on the Papal Foundation which is a group that helps to fund Papal charities, mainly assisting others in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. We have one of our annual meetings here and many of the members come to Rome for the week, too.

Three couples from our Diocese are here in Rome, too, and it is wonderful to spend time with them. We were also able to meet with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, which is always a blessing as we pray with him, receive his blessing and some words of encouragement. It is always a joy to see him, and his spirits were so good even though at 87 he has mobility problems. Moreover, meeting with the Pope so soon after Easter truly added to the joy of this season. Pope Francis named me a bishop and sent me to Metuchen, so I always thank him and pass along your love and prayers for him, too, which he asked me to return to you all!

Thank you for what you do to share Jesus and His love for others with those you meet each day, inviting them by your example and words to be disciples of Jesus too, helping to build up His kingdom in our beautiful four counties in New Jersey. I am grateful to walk with you on our faith journey. Know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you and all you do! Please, also, remember to pray for me!

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen